Red Light Therapy Benefits – What Does the Research Say?

Red light therapy benefits and uses are countless, but not all are proven by research. This is a fairly new therapy so there are still many studies being done to prove the results of this innovative treatment. First let’s talk about what exactly red light therapy is and how it works.

About Red Light Therapy and How it Works

Red light therapy is known as low level laser treatment (LLLT) or light box therapy. Red light is called low level due to it working at a lower intensity when compared to other laser therapies. Clinical studies show all the capabilities that red light has for us medically, physically, and mentally. Red light is FDA approved for aiding in the restorative process of slow to heal wounds and to relieve chronic joint pain.

Red light is most effective at a frequency of 400-700nm. When red light is absorbed at this frequency, it can reach the depths of 8-10 millimeters. At this depth cellular energy, multiple nervous systems, and metabolic processing are able to be positively affected. Red light stimulates blood circulation and increases lymphatic system activity.

Red light therapy stimulates cellular activity to achieve therapeutic benefits. But not all benefits are that are claimed online are backed by research. Here are the proven benefits of red light therapy.

Red Light Therapy Benefits

Reduces Signs of Aging

One of the most common of red light therapy benefits is as an anti-aging treatment. This is a great drug free, non-invasive way to combat the signs of aging. It gives you a healthy, glowing complexion by increasing the blood supply and blood flow to the face. Red light works by stimulates fibroblast and collagen production.

Collagen is a fibrous protein that is a vital part of your skin’s structure. Collagen can be lost during the aging process. In fact, by the age of forty many people have already lost twenty percent of the collagen in their skin. When collagen production is increased wrinkles and fine lines become filled and appear smoother and less pronounced.

In a 2014 study, patients who were treated with red light therapy noticed improved skin texture, skin tone, and reduced wrinkles and fine lines. These anti-aging treatments can be done in a specialists office or using an at home device.

Red light therapy is considered safe for all skin types and skin tones. This treatment can be used for patients who suffer from acne and rosacea. It also does not have any known side effects or risks that other laser treatments do have.

Repair Wounds and Damaged Tissue

Another of red light therapy benefits is the ability to speed up the healing of wounds. The wavelengths that red light therapy emits promotes wound healing, tissue repair, and skin rejuvenation. This is different from other laser treatments that are used for skin rejuvenation. Other laser treatments used by dermatologists to rejuvenate skin do so by first damaging the skin. This therapy skips the damage and directly stimulates the regenerative process.

Red light therapy benefits damaged tissue and healing of wounds. NASA even uses red light in space for this purpose. Healing occurs through regeneration of fibroblasts in immune cells that are contained in skin tissue.

The production of ATP, a source of energy in body tissues also known as adenosine triphosphate, is stimulated by red light therapy. ATP helps to increase blood circulation which reduces inflammation. ATP also encourages white blood cells to repair any damaged tissue which supports the speed of the healing of wounds.

Reverse Hair Loss

The studies about how red light treatments reverse hair loss are slightly mixed, but a moderate number of both men and women have been very successful with using the therapy to fix this common problem. Many studies have been done, like a 24 week study of both men and women, that showed improved hair density and thickness. These patients used a helmet that emitted red light for their treatments.

Red light therapy benefits blood flow in the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles during the growth cycle. This causes hair to grow faster and thicker than before. Red light therapy can treat balding due to aging, androgenetic alopecia, and genetics.

Help Improve Your Mood

Red light therapy benefits the mind as well having multiple mental and emotional perks. It can increase self-confidence, positivity, social awareness, and improve conversational skills. Its main use is for seasonal depression due to variations of daylight. But even just seeing the color red can improve your mood. Countless studies have been done on this phenomenon.

Red light therapy can be used in a similar manner to acupuncture, which has been known to improve patient’s moods. The wavelengths can stimulate certain areas as the small acupuncture needles would. This can result in a happier mood and could even help treat more serious mood disorders, such as depression.

Red light therapy is a drug free, non-invasive, natural treatment that has multiple verified benefits. Whether you want a more youthful complexion or to help regrow your hair, red light therapy can work for you. So what do you think, will you try out red light therapy?